It was odd that he still had not met the new owner of the Dunes. He had planned to come back with Fearne in tow and explain to the new leader that they needed a safe place to stay. Once the stallion found out he was trustworthy he could then inquire about becoming the second stallion. But there was no one to ask. Scorpio says that the stallion's name was Joachim and his coloring made him easy to spot across the sands, but she has not seen him lately. Not since their first meeting the day Aries had set out to the commons and found Fearne. It was really strange, but he would wait for the stallion to return or the next owner to replace him. In the meantime, he introduces Fearne to his half-sister.

The rest of winter rolls by easily in the Dunes, but come spring he grew nervous. Fearne would be birthing their child soon and that was something he has never dealt with before. Becoming a big-shot stallion was much harder than he thought, but becoming a father seemed even harder. The day finally arrives and he couldn't believe the sense of joy that washes over him. Cahir was magnificent (even though he couldn't explain the boy's white markings apart from his blanketed parents). Aries couldn't ask for a better son or a better mare to have in his. Fearne was an excellent mother. Way better at parenting than he was!

Now the end of Summer draws near and there was still no sign of this Joachim. Aries was beginning to think the stallion has abandoned the Dunes like many have before him. Perhaps his sister scared him off! He wonders if it was her doing because no one stable seems to want to lead this part of Salem. The Badlands had a long standing leader, the Hills was becoming more stable, but the Desert was in a situation similar to the Dunes. Funny how both places he lived had trouble keeping stability. Certainly it wasn't a him problem. I mean he had barely talked to any of them aside from Cain so it couldn't be him. All he could hope for now was that whoever claimed this place next was willing to give him a chance as second. At least allow his family to live their peacefully.

He calls for Fearne and little Cahir. Since Fearne had lived here for a few months it was time to find out her thoughts on the place. Salem would always suit his needs, but was it the same for Fearne? Did she find it beautiful as he did?